Tackle that clutter in your closets and conquer the chaos with these easy Closet Organization Tips and Hacks! From small closets to big master walk in closets, I’ll show you how to tackle the clutter and take back control… once and for all!
Then, be sure to check out these Creative Storage Solutions for Small Spaces to organize the rest of your home!
Closet Organization Tips
Is clutter taking over the closets in your home? It’s time to learn how to stop being messy and organize your closet!
Rebecca writes: "Great tips!"
Don’t worry… I’ve been there. I was a girl with a messy, cluttered closet for years.
From microscopic closets in our small home to master bedroom walk in closets with closet organizers… I somehow found a way to make sure they were all cluttered. 🙂
But you know what? One day a few years ago, I decided to tackle that clutter… and everything changed. I never went back.
Now I actually LOVED going in my closet! Getting dressed was a breeze, because I’d only kept my favorite items of clothing that I loved.
Gone were the days of having ‘nothing to wear’. Now that the old and unloved items were out of sight, I had plenty to wear… and I adored every outfit I kept.
Here’s the thing… if I can do it, you can do it. Seriously! That’s why I’ve got some easy Closet Organization Tips and hacks to help you conquer that clutter!
These genius tips and creative hacks will help you tackle the clutter in your closets and conquer the chaos once and for all!
This is the jackpot of clever ideas for how to organize a closet you’ve been looking for.
Your home will feel so much more organized once you tackle your closets!
All it takes is a few handy tips and tricks to get organized and a simple system for having a place for everything. And once you do… it’s really easy to maintain!
You know you don’t want those messes lurking in your closets any longer.
And I promise… you’ll LOVE the feeling of tidy closets!
No matter the size of the space you’re trying to organize, I’ve got you covered.
I’ve included small closet ideas, walk in closet organizer ideas and some budget DIY closet organization ideas!
Trust me, you’ll be so glad you took the time to get your messy closets organized!!
It’s time to say goodbye to that closet clutter and organize those closets all around your home!
So are you ready?
Here are my absolute favorite closet organizing hacks…
Related: Frugal Fashionista! (How to Dress Classy on a Budget)
Closet Organization Step #1: Pull EVERYTHING Out!
Yep… everything! Today is the day we get the job done, and first we need to know what we even have in there!
When your closet is so packed, you may not even KNOW what you’ve got in there, so first things first… let’s tackle that clutter!
Lauren writes: “You can’t organize clutter”
Erin writes: “Empty it out. Only put back what you would buy now for the coming year. ”
#2: Now Try Your Clothes On… Yes, ALL Of Them
Now this part is going to take a little time… but it is SO worth it!
If you already know you love it, just set it aside in the ‘Keep’ pile.
Everything else that you haven’t worn for awhile, take a few minutes to try each piece on.
Then go look in the mirror… if it honestly isn’t flattering and you don’t feel good in it.
Or maybe you’ve been keeping it more for the memories instead of actually wearing it… add it to your ‘Donate’ or ‘Sell’ pile.
Should I Have my Clothes Tailored?
Now if you still love the piece, and think it could be fixed with a little tailoring, consider taking it to a local seamstress or tailor.
Maybe you’ve lost weight, or maybe it just never fit right in the first place?
You’d be amazed at how a little tailoring can completely breathe new life into your garment… and often for a fraction of the cost of buying something new!
#3: Donate Old Clothes
Oh I know it can be hard letting clothes go.
Maybe that sweatshirt is back from your college days… or you wore that dress on a really fun date?
Even if there are fun memories attached, if it’s just too old and worn… it’s time to let it go.
Closet Organizing Questions To Ask Yourself
1. When was the last time I actually wore this?
2. Do I feel confident when I wear this?
3. Is this stained and beyond repair?
4. Does this garment have any holes?
5. Has the elastic become old and brittle?
6. Are the seams ripping out?
Can it be mended?
If it can be mended, go grab your needle and thread… or sewing machine, and get to work!
You may even be able to repurpose some of your old clothes and find another use for them.
Maybe you can cut some down for fabric scraps for your sewing room?
If it needs to go, just let it go.
If you decide to let it go, and it’s still in good condition, you can even consider selling it online or at a Consignment Shop!
Elizabeth writes: “Most people wear the same things over and over again, so donate the extra clothes.”
Chris writes: “Get rid of stuff you no longer wear/like. The less stuff you have, the easier it is to organize.”
Judy writes: “If you can’t wear it, share it.”
Samantha writes: “Stop hanging onto stuff that really doesn’t fit well or flatter”
Debbie writes: “Don’t hoard – no one needs 12 pair of jeans”
Ashley writes: “If you haven’t worn it in 2 years, get rid of it. Do not save clothes that do not fit.”
Debbie writes: “Get rid of what you didn’t wear when the season ended.”
Memarie writes: “When giving stuff away…
1. See if other moms you know would like to have a Clothing Swap Party and donate whatever is left.
2. If you’re really tight for money, see if there are any Consignment Stores near you that will give you instant store credit or cash for your stuff. There are a couple in my area, so I basically trade my old clothes for “new.”
3. Freecycle is a great way to get rid of stuff fast without having to drive it anywhere.”
Korrie writes: “Repurpose clothes you don’t wear.”
How about making some DIY T Shirt Rags?
Old t shirts actually make AMAZING rags! Simply cut them down in large squares and use them when wiping up spills, dusting furniture, etc…
#4: Invest in Matching Hangers in Your Closet
If you’ve got a hodge-podge of hangers going on, you may want to consider more uniformed hangers!
Why? Well… your closet really will feel so much more organized and tidy when your hangers match!
Whether it’s all one color of plastic hangers, velvety slim hangers, or luxurious wooden hangers, when you have consistent hangers in your closet, it will look and feel SO much nicer!
And if you opt for the slim velvet hangers, you’ll save so much space in your closet, too!
Space-Saving Velvet Hangers
Gillian writes: “Don’t use wire hangers. They bend easily. And don’t use full plastic hangers, they snap easily. Use the ones with the grippy stuff or the divots that keep your clothes from falling off.”
Erin writes: “Use proper hangers (the nonslip keep things neat).”
Melinda writes: “For special clothes you don’t wear often, put them in garment bags to avoid dust.
Also get good hangers for all your clothes so that it doesn’t stretch out the shoulders.”
Durable Premium Wood Hangers
#5: Use the Soda Can Hanger Hack to Maximize Space!
Have you hears of the pop cans hanger trick yet?
It’s SO easy, and such a simple way to fit more clothes into a cozy closet!
Simply remove the soda tab from your can and place the top hole over a hanger.
Then slip a second hanger into the lower hole and you’re done! Easy-peasy!
Michele writes: “Use pop tabs to double up hanger space – things like tank tops, small t-shirts, shorts, sweatshirts, long sleeve shirts, and dresses in closet to maximize space.”
#6: Organize Your Lingerie Drawer
When going through your clothes, don’t forget to go through every single item, and yes… that includes your lingerie.
Now is the time to toss those tattered panties and uncomfortable bras with wires starting to poke out.
Ouch!
So are you wondering how to organize your lingerie drawer? Here are my top tips…
3 Steps to an Organized Lingerie Drawer:
1. Fold panties in a uniform fashion, and color code for even more fun.
2. Nest bras together (just like they do at the lingerie stores), and always avoid folding the cups.
3. Fold sock pairs in thirds, and place in a horizontal row so you can easily see and find what you have.
#7: Best Way to Organize Shoes
Just like we did with the clothes, now it’s time to try on all of your shoes.
If you love them, keep them! If they’re too loose, too tight, give you unbearable blisters, or are simply falling apart… let them go!
Then… find a tidy way to organize them in your closet.
Maybe it’s plastic shoebox organizers on a shelf… or maybe it’s a shoe organizer on the floor.
Just create an organized storage system that works with your space.
Korrie writes: “Purge shoes that you don’t wear and put the ones you do wear in their boxes or small clear totes that stack.”
Erin writes: “Use pool noodles cut, or rolled up magazines to make tall Boots stand up.”
Lisa writes: “Use shoe racks!”
Related: 6 Ways To Keep Shoes From Smelling!
Related: How to Clean White Shoes at Home
#8: Seasonal Clothes Storage Ideas
Now it’s time to separate your clothes by season.
Here are some simple solutions when it comes to organizing seasonal clothing…
Cindi writes: “Rotate clothes with seasons, and put out of season in totes, when season comes wash again and hang.”
Melissa writes: “I keep out of season clothes in a storage tote… when it is time to get them out (and put the other clothing away), I weed out items I no longer want.”
Wanda writes: “I rotate out of season clothes and store in another closet or store them in tote in garage. So much less clutter.”
Jeanette writes: “If you have a small closet put one season in a see through tote at the bottom of the closet for easy access or under bed storage.”
Debbie writes: “Make use of hidden storage (such as under the bed)”
#9: Hang Up Clothes You’re Keeping… in an Organized Way!
Now that you have a spot for everything… and know exactly what clothes you’ll be keeping, it’s time to hang it back up!
Just make sure you hang it up in an organized way that will work for you… maybe that means all athletic clothes go together, all dresses go together, all skirts go together, etc.
Then if you’re feeling really organized, you can even organize each section by color. 🙂
Samantha writes: “Try rainbow color organizing by section (shirts, dresses, pants, cardigan)”
Sue writes: “I keep tops on one side and pants on the other side so I can see everything clearly.”
Micaela writes: “I organize my closet from sleeveless to short sleeves, long sleeves and sweaters in all one color and follows the rainbow.”
Julie writes: “Use all the same type of hangers all facing the same way. Organize by type of clothing – dresses, pants, tops, jackets.”
Carol writes: “Organize color coded and by styles – from dressy, everyday, shirts, slacks and skirts loungewear and robes.”
Korrie writes: “Fold t-shirts and roll tank tops and put them in a drawer or stackable tote. Buy dress bags for your nice things that you only wear once in awhile and hang them in a spare closet or put a cloth wardrobe in your garage and hang them there.”
Cindy writes: “I organize by season and how casual/dressy. Second layer (sweaters, light jackets, etc) are in one section (also sorted by season) tops or “first layer” are in another section, pants, shorts, capris in another, dresses by length (midi, maxi, etc) in another section, and skirts have the last section.”
#10: Use S Hooks for Hanging Clothes (Pants, Jeans, Shorts)
Another fun idea is to use either S Hooks or pretty Shower Curtain Hooks to hang your jeans from the belt loops!
Not only does it look pretty, but it’s SO easy to find the actual pair of jeans you’re looking for!
Stacy writes: “I use S Hooks for jeans and shorts”
Dawn writes: “Great way to store jeans”
Marcy writes: “I use Shower Curtain Hooks to hang jeans, the hooks are cute and you can see the jeans better than if they were on a hanger.”
#11: Use Pretty Closet Storage Baskets to Maximize Space
Jaci writes: “Label boxes and use baskets!”
#12: Install a Closet Organizer System, or Add Shelves!
If you’re still having trouble fitting everything back in your closet, consider adding a closet organizer system!
You can find great deals on the components for closet organizers at both Home Depot and Lowe’s!
We added closet organizer systems to both of our boys’ closets, and they were such a game changer! They added SO much more storage space in their closets!
Here is one of them…
Standard Bedroom Closet Organizer
Also, when we moved into our house, this incredible closet organizer (pictured below) had been installed by the previous owners in the master bedroom closet.
And yes… we LOVE it!
Master Bedroom Closet Organizer
Sarah said: “We have wire closet organizers that have 2 bars for hanging clothes, one above the other (summer clothes on one and winter on the other).”
Rhonda said: “We put shelves all the way to the ceiling in all the closets.”
Mary said: “Bookcases! I buy the bookcases that you put bins in and use those for my clothes instead of dressers. You can fit sooo much more in them.”
Debbie writes: “Add shelving to closets and add hooks to inside of doors (closet/cabinets)”
#13: How to Organize Purses and Bags in a Small Closet
Now it’s time to find a special spot for your purses and bags.
If you’ve got any shelves with extra space, you can store purses there.
Or if you’re out of room or just have a tiny closet, consider hooks on the wall for purses and bags, like this…
#14: How to Organize Scarves, Belts and Ties!
Don’t forget the other accessories… like scarves, belts, and ties.
Accessories have a way of taking over in the closet, and can often feel cluttered.
Thankfully, there are some really easy space-saving ways to tidy up your accessories!
I use special scarf hangers with multiple holes for my scarves like this…
Space-Saving Scarf Hangers
And my hubby keeps his ties organized on this space-saving tie hanger…
Space-Saving Tie Hangers
Susan writes: “I’ve had nails hammered a bit on the inside of one side wall of my closet where I hand necklaces & belts.
Also fold scarves into little squares and stand upright in a large shoebox, then placed on closet shelf … Konmari method).”
#15: How to KEEP Your Closet Organized
Now that you’ve gone to all the hard work of organizing your closet, take a little time each day to keep your closet organized!
Here are some simple ways to do just that…
Susan writes: “When you take it off, hang it up!”
Lori writes: “Buy something new? Get rid of something.”
Ronnie writes: “A friend gave me a great suggestion for weeding out clothes. First, go through your closets and put the hangers backwards on the rod. When you wear something and wash it, hang it with the hanger the correct way.
At the end of season, any outfit still hung with the backwards hanger was never worn and should be removed and sold or given away. For every new item purchased going forwards, you must remove one of your old to be given away, sold or thrown away.
You can declutter your closet with little effort in just one year.”
Deanna writes: “At the start of a new season I turn all my hangers backwards, then as I wear things turn right way. At end of season anything not turned around didn’t get worn & gets donated.”
Anna writes: “Don’t keep non clothes in the closet. Toys, golf clubs, porch cushions do not belong in your main bedroom closet.”
See… giving your closet a complete overhaul and tidy makeover is easier than you think!
More Fashion and Organization Tips
So now that you’ve cleaned out your closets, learn how to get the VERY best deals on the missing pieces you want to add back in to your wardrobe…
Frugal Fashionista (How to Dress Classy… on a Budget!)
Best Maternity Clothes for Work (Look AMAZING on a Budget)
Store Deals + Shopping Hacks That Will Save You So Much Money
Frugal Girls LOVE great deals! So before you shop, be sure to check out these Insider Tips + Shopping Hacks that will save you so much money at all of your favorite stores!!
More Genius Tricks To Organize Your Home
So wasn’t that easy?
Now that you’ve got your closets all organized and know how to find the best deals for new fashion, I’ve got more easy tips to help you declutter every other inch of your home!
What are you waiting for?
Let’s get started…
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What’s YOUR favorite way to keep your closet organized?
Or have you tried any of these easy Closet Organization Tips or Tricks?
Leave a comment & share!
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Healthy World Cuisine says
I so wish you were closer and available for hire! (smiling) The clothes closet needs an overhaul but I think your idea of matching hangers and the pop can top additions are a great space saver idea and helps keeps a small closet manageable.
Heidi says
Haha… I just gave my closet another refresh today. 🙂 I’m so glad you like those tips… I just love having matching hangers!
Stella Frine says
Both Arts of Decluttering and Organization are Amazingly Passionable…. I have been practicing Them for Years, and still keep Learning more Techniques about Them!!!!…..